Evaluation of 2 commercial anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays in an immunocompetent and immunocompromised inpatient population with COVID-19

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Oct;101(2):115449. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115449. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread introduction of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing was introduced without a full understanding of the assays performance or the antibody kinetics following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: We performed an evaluation of 2 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays with a more detailed look into the effect of immune status on antibody sensitivity.

Results: Both assays demonstrated 100% specificity. The overall sensitivity of the Roche was 92.1% at ≥14 days and 94.8% at ≥21 days, and the overall sensitivity of the Abbott was 94.4% at ≥14 days and 98.2% at ≥21 days. 7/41 (17%) of patients included in this cohort were immunocompromised. Seroconversion was seen less commonly in the immunocompromised (4/7 [57.1%] seroconverted) and after excluding these patients 100% sensitivity was seen in both assays at ≥21 days.

Discussion: Performance of both assays in the immunocompetent appeared excellent after 21 days postsymptom onset. Both assays are highly specific.

Keywords: Anti-SARSCoV-2 Antibody; Antibody waning; COVID-19; Immunocompromised; Immunosuppressed; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 Serological Testing*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Seroconversion

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral